Cooperation strengthens with every new physical meeting and we had a great opportunity to host Jadyra from the Institute for Youth Development in Tallinn. Jadyra came for her study visit to Shokkin Group for 7 days to discover our game-based learning approach, get insights into the youth work context in Tallinn and continue working on our board game prototypes.
First few days Jadyra observed the youth camp that we were running and had an opportunity to also join in some of our games and activities. It was truly Shokkin for her study visit to start with a night game in the forest, but she managed great. After the camp we moved on to Tallinn to discover what the city has to offer. Jadyra had an opportunity to discover the city, its youth spaces, thriving creative spaces and take part in the street culture festival.
Apart from the city discovery, we arranged several exciting meetings to get to know about game-based learning and youth work. We visited Lasnamäe Youth Center to learn how they work in the neighborhood; Central Youth Center to discuss the concept of open youth work and involvement of youth; Game Club to learn about their approach to education and what it took them to grow so well; In Game escape room to learn about their logic of designing escape games; and Fat Snail studio to learn about visual design and agree on future cooperation terms.
We have also been working long hours on our board game concepts. From 6 ideas we developed 2 prototypes that are in design stage now. One will be a job interview simulation with a fun twist and the other will show the vast variety of ways to develop job-related competences. We will not share much now and wait until physical products are ready by October.
One of the highlights of the study visit was also spending anxious hours in the police station and trying to manage a one day visa extention due to a technical error of the visa center. Until last moment we were not 100% sure whether the system will be fair or we will have to fight for it. At the end it all turned out well and Jadyra could leave without changing her plans.
It was an intense and fruitful week that gave a chance to exchange even more ideas and strengthen our cooperation with IYD from Kyrgyzstan. Looking forward to finalize the board games and see each other in Berlin for the closure of the project. We are sue that even though the project will finish the cooperation will continue!